Adelaide Travel Guide

Rich in culture, flavours, colourful events and entertainment, bustling Adelaide has become a key destination for those visiting Australia. The city was originally laid out in 1836 by Colonel Light in a square mile (three sq km) grid of wide streets with gracious colonial architecture. Today, this has setup a compact inner city area that is geared for easy exploring on foot. Hectares of parklands, walking trails, sports grounds and picnic areas on the banks of the Torrens River surround the central area.

The main boulevard is North Terrace, along which are the restored Mortlock Library, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum with its spectacular whale skeleton and collection of Aboriginal history. Aboriginal culture is also catered for at Tandanya, a multi-arts cultural centre that has galleries, performance areas and a cafe serving native cuisine. Adelaide is minutes away from three world-famous wine regions that produce both renowned and under-the-radar wines, and the city's award-winning restaurants are a must for foodies. Adelaide's lively Central Market is home to fruit and vegetable stores, a large selection meat and fish, and specialities introduced by the waves of immigrants who've settled in the capital of South Australia.

Visitors who have had enough of culture can take a cruise or gondola ride on the Torrens River, or ride a vintage tram to the nearby seaside town of Glenelg, with its magnificent white sandy beach, which is popular despite the occasional rumour of sharks. Also popular with visitors is the Adelaide Zoo and Cleland Wildlife Park, which features local birds and animals including koalas and kangaroos.

Things to do in Adelaide

Adelaide tends to be underrated as a tourist destination but in truth there is a lot for holiday makers to see and do here. Visitors can enjoy anything from appreciating the architecture, and boutique shopping in the suburbs to soaking up the sun on the beautiful sandy beaches and enjoying Adelaide's nightlife, dining and art scene.

Many start off in the historic beachside suburb of Glenelg for a stroll along the pier with an ice-cream in hand, before heading up into the Adelaide Hills to Mt Lofty Summit, where breath-taking views over the city can be enjoyed. Sports fans should head to the Oval for a local or international cricket match; culture vultures will love the Art Gallery of South Australia on North Terrace, where more than 35,000 pieces can be viewed; and history buffs will be captivated by the Migration Museum's insight into the migration of British prisoners to Australia in the 1700s.

Adventurers should visit Belair National Park for some fantastic bushwalking trails; animal lovers can get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos and wallabies at the Cleland Conservation Park. The Adelaide Botanical Gardens are a great place to relax and unwind under the shade of a tree, while West Beach is perfect for family walks and swimming. And what could round off a day of sightseeing better than a tour of the Coopers Brewery for an ice cold, family-brewed beer?

Hahndorf photo

Hahndorf

Just an easy 20-minute drive along the South Eastern Freeway from the city centre of Adelaide is the scenic Adelaide Hills region. The most popular tourist destination in the area is Australia's oldest surviving German settlement, Hahndorf.

The town was settled in 1839 by Prussian and East German immigrants, and today is a flourishing community that attracts visitors from all over the world. They come to admire the many historic buildings and the 100-year-old elm and plane trees that line the main street, to shop for crafts, and to enjoy legendary hospitality in the many restaurants and accommodation establishments.

Hahndorf is surrounded by many wineries and there are two cellars on the main street offering tastings and meals. The three local hotels have traditional German beers on tap. Just outside the town is the famous Beerenberg Strawberry Farm where visitors can pick their own in season. Hahndorf makes a perfect base for exploring the other delights of the Adelaide Hills, which include the Mt Lofty area, Norton Summit, the Torrens Valley and Onkaparinga Valley.

Kangaroo Island photo

Kangaroo Island

Australia's third largest island is home to colonies of sea lions, fairy penguins, pelicans, marine life and, of course, kangaroos, and provides so much to do and discover that visitors are advised to stay for at least two days. Kangaroo Island is situated eight miles (13km) from the mainland of South Australia.

It is inhabited by a small farming community that produces speciality foods. This, combined with the fact that the fishing is excellent, means it is worth visiting for the food alone. The island separated from the mainland during the last Ice Age, and has many plants and animals no longer found elsewhere. A third of the island is protected to preserve the natural heritage.

Organised tours visit the parks and protected waterways, or visitors can self-guide with the aid of a walking trails brochure available at the tourist office and many of the hotels. Walking close to the wildlife is a unique experience; visitors can glance around at kangaroos, wallabies, goannas, echidnas, possums and platypus, and watch dolphins, penguins and seals frolic along the coast.

Adelaide Botanic Garden photo

Adelaide Botanic Garden

The Adelaide Botanic Garden is one of the top free attractions in the city and a lovely place to unwind and enjoy some of the region's natural beauty. The gardens are easily accessible in the centre of the city and are immaculately maintained. The garden's old trees are one of the highlights, including the Wollemi Pine, which dates back to the time of the dinosaurs, and Australia's oldest avenue of Morton Bay Fig trees. Other favourites include the rose garden and the covered rainforest area. The garden is also home to some historic and interesting buildings including three glasshouses: the Palm House, Bicentennial Conservatory and Amazon Waterlily Pavillion. The Santos Museum of Economic Botany teaches visitors about the importance of plants and hosts some fascinating temporary exhibitions.

Those looking for refreshments will find a selection of kiosks and a good restaurant clustered near the lake. The restaurant is a good option for a romantic lunch, with some beautiful views of the garden. The gardens generally receive rave reviews from visitors and provide space for exercise, relaxation and learning.

Flinders Ranges photo

Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges, one of the few elevated landmasses in South Australia, is the gateway to the state's Outback, offering rugged and spectacular scenery best seen at daybreak or sunset when the colours come alive. At the southern end of the ranges, about 25 miles (40km) from Port Agusta, is the town of Quorn, which is the jumping off point for four-wheel-drive and adventure tours of the region.

A vintage train runs through the nearby Pichi Richi Pass, and visitors can try rock-climbing at Warren Gorge. Further north is the small township of Hawker, which is the popular access point to the main attraction of the Flinders, Wilpena Pound. Wilpena is one of Australia's most significant Aboriginal heritage areas, and is enclosed in the Flinders Ranges National Park. Rock engravings can be viewed at Sacred Canyon and there are many bushwalks to be enjoyed.

Coober Pedy photo

Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy, the opal mining town located in the harsh Outback of South Australia, about 540 miles (850km) north of Adelaide, operates largely underground. Homes, a church, a pottery studio and various businesses consist of 'dugouts', which have been built by the locals to escape the intense heat of this harsh region. Coober Pedy is recognised as the largest producer of opals in the world, and more than 100,000 tourists from around the world make the long pilgrimage to this unique town every year. The town features a working mine with a museum and shop for visitors, who can opt to stay in the Desert Cave Hotel underground. The town is located beside the Stuart Highway, Highway 87, which provides plenty of refuelling spots on the route from Adelaide in the south or Alice Springs in the north. It is also possible to reach the town by air or by bus.

Barossa Valley photo

Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is an hour's ride from Adelaide and is South Australia's premier winemaking region. About 50 wineries operate in the valley, which is blessed with hot dry summers, loamy soil and good winter rainfall. The heart of the valley is the town of Tanunda, which features relics of the valley's German heritage in its museum. A lookout at Mengler's Hill, near the town, provides spectacular views of the valley, or visitors can opt for a balloon flight when weather permits.

The Barossa Wine Centre serves 70,000 visitors a year and is the perfect place to find out the story of the valley, its people and culture. A bi-annual festival, the Barossa Vintage Festival, offers visitors the opportunity for some off-beat entertainment such as treading grapes, waving at scarecrows, mushroom-hunting and watching floats travel down Tanunda's main street. Other events and festivals are held throughout the year.

South Australia's other major wine-growing areas are Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Coonawarra, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills, and each of them produces a very distinct and unique type of wine. Barossa and Eden Valley are famous for their extraordinary Shiraz wines, while the Clare Valley and the Adelaide Hills produce rich Chardonnays and dry Rieslings. The wines found in the McLaren Vale area are more medium-bodied with a spicier, more savory taste; Cabernet Sauvignon is the shining star of the Coonawarra region.

Getting Around

Adelaide has a small city centre so it is easy to get around on foot, or by bicycle, using the many cycling paths. A novel service is the Adelaide City Bikes scheme, which allows visitors and residents to hire a bike within the city centre for free, so long as they leave valid ID as a deposit for the duration of the bike hire. Those wishing to explore further afield can make good use of the Adelaide Connector free bus service, which provides a safe and convenient link between north and south Adelaide through the central city area. The 19-seater free buses are fitted with disability access and run seven days a week. There are also other free bus and tram services in the CBD aimed at carrying visitors between the main sights. The city is also served by the TransAdelaide rail system that extends across the metropolitan area via a number of rail lines. Most visitors enjoy a trip on the 1929 historic vintage tram, which departs from Victoria Square at regular intervals, carrying passengers to Glenelg in about 30 minutes. Numerous taxi companies operate in the city and cabs can be hired at stands, hailed in the street, or booked by telephone.

Adelaide Climate and Weather

Adelaide enjoys a hot Mediterranean climate with sunny skies all year round. In summer, between December and February, the average maximum temperature is about 84F (29C) but the temperatures can rise as high as 104F (40C). In winter, between June and August, average temperatures range between 45F (7C) and 59F (15C). What little rain there is falls in the winter and spring months, between June and November. The weather in Adelaide is most pleasant during the cool autumn months, March, April and May, and this is a good time to travel to Adelaide.

Australia travel info

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin flat blade plugs are used but are different to those in most other countries, so an adapter is normally required.

Language

English is the official language of Australia.

Money

The unit of currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), which is divided into 100 cents. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are freely available throughout the country. Banks and bureaux de change exchange most foreign currencies. Banking hours are generally 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am to 5pm on Friday, but some banks offer extended hours and some are open on Saturday mornings.

Tipping

Most service providers in Sydney don't expect a tip, so travellers shouldn't feel pressured into giving one. A tip of 10 percent is standard in restaurants, however, and passengers usually round up to the nearest dollar or more in taxis.

Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age arriving within six days of having stayed overnight or longer in an infected country. No other special immunisations or medications are required for most trips to Australia; however, insect repellents are strongly advised because of the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. Another health risk is sunburn, and visitors are advised to take precautions. Medical services are excellent but can be expensive, so travellers should ensure that they have adequate insurance. Australia has a reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom providing for free hospital emergency medical treatment; proof of UK residence is required.

Safety

The crime rate in Australia is low; however, travellers should be aware that tourists could be targeted by petty criminals. Visitors should be vigilant about personal possessions and travel documents, particularly in popular tourist destinations such as along the Gold Coast. Tropical cyclones normally occur between November and April in some parts of Australia, particularly in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. There is a serious risk of bush fires in summer (November to March), especially in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and ACT. Also during the summer months, the shallow coastal waters of northern Australia and Queensland become infested with marine stingers, commonly known as box jellyfish, whose sting is highly dangerous and can be deadly. Visitors should pay attention to signs on beaches and follow the instructions of local lifeguards to avoid injury.

Local customs

Generally an informal attitude, in dress and behaviour, prevails in most social and business situations. Sport, particularly rugby and cricket, is almost a religion in Australia.

Doing business

Those doing business in Australia are sure to find that the friendly yet professional corporate atmosphere of the country will provide them with an exciting opportunity to develop their careers. The business culture of Australia is a bit of a hybrid breed, incorporating the trappings of British formality and conservatism, the egalitarian ethos of Scandinavian countries, and the dynamic, innovative approach to business that is generally thought of as American in origin - rounded out, of course, with typical Australian warmth and humour. The approach to management in Australia is consultative, pragmatic, and strictly non-hierarchical. Those in positions of relative power are accorded respect by virtue of their personal qualities, not simply because they happen to be the boss.

Business etiquette in Australia further reflects this egalitarian ethos. Business people should use titles initially, though they will almost certainly be told to dispense with them and refer to their colleagues by their first names. They should maintain eye contact when speaking to their associates, as this is regarded as a sign of forthrightness and trustworthiness, qualities that Australian business people tend to favour over showiness, self-aggrandisement or empty promises. Business meetings in Australia should be scheduled about a week in advance, and then confirmed a few days before they are due to take place.

Colleagues should be punctual, as lateness can be seen as a symptom of flakiness or indifference. Business meetings in Australia do not generally proceed from a set agenda. Rather, they are viewed as open forums, in which ideas are to be debated and discussed. In fact, over-preparing for a meeting can make participants seem pushy, as though they wish to bully others into adopting their opinions on the issue at hand. The dress code for business in Australia remains surprisingly traditional: dark suits and ties are the norm for men; for women, business suits, worn either with pants or a skirt. As a general rule, business people should avoid loud jewellery and accessories, as to Australian eyes they might make them seem arrogant. The official language of business in Australia is English, and business hours are generally from 8.30am (or 9am) to 5pm (or 5.30pm), Monday to Friday.

Duty free

Travellers to Australia over 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 2.25 litres of alcohol; and 25 cigarettes or 25g of cigars or tobacco products. All tobacco products in travellers' baggage are included in this category, regardless of where they were purchased. Gifts are included in the A$900 duty-free allowance. Fresh produce and animal or plant products are prohibited.

Communications

The international dialling code for Australia is +61. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi are widely available; purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option than paying international roaming costs, which can be quite high.

Passport & Visa

A valid passport and a visa or ETA is required for travel to Australia. An ETA is an electronically issued and verified visa, not visible in a passport. ETAs are issued to passengers travelling for touristic or business purposes. Tourist ETAs are usually valid for three months. ETAs are obtainable online at: www.eta.immi.gov.au or through most travel agents. It is highly recommended that passports are valid six months after departure from a holiday destination.

Entry requirements

US nationals must have a valid passport on arrival. A pre-obtained Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for stays of up to three months.

UK nationals must have a passport valid for intended period of stay. A pre-arranged Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for stays of up to three months.

Canadian nationals require a passport valid for intended period of stay. A pre-arranged Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for stays of up to three months.

South African nationals must have a passport valid for at least six months after their date of departure. A visa is required.

Irish nationals must have a passport that is valid on arrival. A pre-arranged Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for stays up to three months.

New Zealanders require a valid passport on entry to Australia. A Special Category Visa (SCV) is issued on arrival after completing a passenger card.

Useful contacts

Australian Tourist Commission, Sydney: +61 (0)2 9360 1111 or www.australia.com

Emergencies: 000 (112 on cellphones)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Embassy of Australia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 797 3000.

Australian High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7379 4334.

Australian High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 236 0841.

Australian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 423 6000.

Australian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 664 5300.

Australian High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 6411.

Embassies / consulates in Australia

Embassy of the United States, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6214 5600.

British High Commission, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6270 6666.

Canadian High Commission, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6270 4000.

South African High Commission, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6272 7300.

Embassy of Ireland, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6214 0000.

New Zealand High Commission, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6270 4211.